What does 'need-blind' mean in college admissions?

I see this term need-blind mentioned a lot when it comes to college admissions, but I'm not exactly sure what it means. Can someone explain it to me and maybe give some examples of need-blind schools? Thanks in advance!

Need-blind is a term used to describe a college's admissions policy in which the institution does not take an applicant's financial need into consideration when making admissions decisions. In other words, a need-blind college evaluates applicants solely based on their academic, extracurricular, and personal qualifications without considering whether they require financial assistance to attend. This ensures that all students have an equal chance of being admitted, regardless of their financial background.

Some examples of need-blind schools include:

1. Harvard University

2. Princeton University

3. Yale University

4. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

5. Stanford University

6. Duke University

7. Vanderbilt University

Keep in mind that being need-blind does not guarantee that the school will meet 100% of your demonstrated financial need. However, many need-blind schools are also known for their robust financial aid programs and, in some cases, do commit to meeting a student's full demonstrated need. For instance, Harvard, Princeton, Yale, and MIT are not only need-blind but also pledge to meet 100% of demonstrated need for both domestic and international students. They provide comprehensive financial aid packages that include grants, scholarships, work-study opportunities, and limited loans in some cases.

To gauge the financial aid you might receive from a specific need-blind institution, use their net price calculator on their website to get an estimated aid package based on your unique financial circumstances.